Vessel raising means



1944- v. PRASSEL 2,361,868 1 VESSEL RAISING MEANS I I Filed July 6, 1943 A 3 Sheets-$1190: 1

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I vzssm. nusme mums Filed July 6, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 II I II 1% I W I I *ViOZb? Pia $392 Patented Oct. 31, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VESSEL RAISING MEANS Victor Prassel, San Antonio, Tex. Application July 6, 1943, Serial No. 493,675

8 Claims.- 01.11440) I This invention relates to a device for raising sunken vessels or the like. 1

An object of this invention is to provid a means which is adapted to be inserted in a sunken vessel whereby the water in the vessel may be displaced'by buoyant containers so as to render the vessel buoyant.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for forcing buoyant containers into a sunken vessel, the apparatus including a floating tower provided with means for connection to the vessel whereby sealed containers may be forced under hydraulic pressure into the interior of the vessel, each container being buoyant and adapted to displace water in the vessel so as to render the vessel buoyant without requiring the initial repair of the damage which caused the vessel to sink.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved means for forcing sealed containers into a sunken vessel, said means including a float I rocking of the latter so that the tower will remain substantially plumb, vertically, when the float structure is rocked under the action of waves.

With the foregoing objects and others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will 'be more specifically referred to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein is shown an embodiment of this invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations, and modifications may be resorted to which fall Within the scope of the invention as claimed. I

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a detail side elevation of a vessel raising device constructed according to an em bodiment of this invention and connected to the sunken vessel,

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2--2 of Figure 1,

Figure'3 is a fragmentary vertical section of the tower and float structure,

Figure '4 is :a fragmentary vertical section of .the apparatus for forcing the sealed containers into the vessel,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure 4 showing the upper valve in operative position to connect the hydraulic mechanism with the container guide structure,

Figure 6 is .a .detail side elevation partly in section of one of the sealed containers, and

Figure 7 is :a fragmentary side elevation of the upper portion of the tower.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral I designates generally :a float structure having a tower I I -mounted thereon, and the character V designatesa sunken vessel which is adapted to be raised or made buoyant according to this invention.

The float structure In includes a pair of spaced apart pontoons IZ'which are connected together in spaced apart parallel relation by, means of pairs of parallel girdersor connecting members I3. The girders I3 are formed, as shown in Figr ure 1, with a convex upper side I4 and a straight or horizontal lower side I5 which are secured in any suitable manner to the upper sides of the two pontoons. The tower or derrick II comprises a base I6 which is mounted on a circular plate IT. The plate I! is formed with an outer depending flange I8, and a-fianged ring I9 is connected to the base plate I! by means of a pair of aligned pivot members 20. The ring I9 is pivotally connected to the inner sides of the pontoons I2 by means of a pair of pivot members 2i, the latter being disposed at right angles to the pivot members 20.

By providing the right angularly arranged pivotal members and 2| the pontoons I2 may have substantially universal rocking movement with respect to the base I6 and the tower II so that the tower I I will remain substantially plumb when the waves rock the pontoons I2. The base I6 includes a plurality of upright angle bars 22 which are secured at their lower ends to the upper side of the base plate IT. The upright supporting members 22 are connected together by a plurality of crossed, bracing members 23 and the upper ends of the uprights 22 are secured in any suitable manner to a lower platform 24. The platform 24 is of circular configuration being formed with an outerdepending flange 2 5 and a central relatively large opening 2,6. The platform 24 is provided with a depending inner flange 21 defining the opening 26.

The tower or derrick I lcomprises a plurality of upwardly convergent I supporting members -28 which are secured at their lower ends to the upper side of the platform 24., Thesupporting members 28 are connected together and braced by a plurality of crossed bracing members 29.. The upper end of the derrick or tower I I has a top plate or frame structure 30 secured thereto, and the tower or derrick II also includes upright parallel guide bar '3I which are secured at theirlower ends to the lower. platform 24 and at their upper ends to the top member 30.

A lower movable platform 32 engages the guide members 3| and is formed centrally thereof with a depending tubular guide sleeve 33 which is braced by bracing members 34. An upper loading platform also slidably engages the guide members 3|, being spaced above the lower platform 34 and being also formed with a depending guide sleeve 36 which is braced by bracing members 21.

In efiecting the raising of the vessel 'V, a plurality of sealed containers 38 are adapted to be forced into the interior of the vessel V. Each container is formed of a corrugated wall 39 and opposite end walls 40. The container 38 may be filled with air or other suitable fluid, such as a buoyant gas or the interior may be completely evacuated to form a vacuum. These containers are substantially cylindrical and are adapted to be forced into the interior of the vessel V in the manner hereinafter described. The vessel V in a side, deck or other portion thereof, is formed with an opening 4|. A pipe 42 is extended through the opening 4| and preferably a ball joint structure 43 is secured to the pipe 42 and covers the opening 4 I.

The ball joint structure includes an inner hollow ball member 45 having a base flange 46 for engagement with the vessel V over the opening 4|. engages about the inner ball member 45 and is formed with a sleeve 4'| secured by fastening members 4'| to the pipe 42.

The upper end of the pipe 42 will extend above the waterline 49. The lower end of the pipe 42 is cut off on an angle, as indicated at 50, and a spring-pressed normally closed flap valve is adapted to engage the bevel end 50 of the pipe 42. The upper end of the pipe 42 extends through the lower sleeve 33 of the platform 32 and may be secured against movement relative to the sleeve 33 by meanse of a set screw or other suitable clamping member 52 A lower valve member 53 is secured to the upper end of the pipe 42 and includes a housing 54 having a valve plug 55 rotatable therein. A handle or hand wheel 56 is secured by means of a stem 5'! to the plug 55. The plug 55 is formed with an opening 58 having a diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the pipe 42 so that the containers 38 may freely pass through the plug 55 when the latter is in an open posiion.

In order to provide a means whereby the operator may determine whether all of the containers 38 above the valve 53 have passed downwardly below this valve, I have provided an opening 59 in the valve housing 53 slightly below the plug 52, and a window 60 which is carried by a bezel 6| is secured by fastening members 62 to the housing 54. A magazine 63 in the form of a fairly short length of pipe is threaded at its lower end in the upper side of the valve housing 54. ,The magazine 63 is of a diameter equal to the diameter of the pipe 42 and is adapted to be initially filled with the containers 38.

The magazine 63 extends upwardly through the sleeve 55 carried bythe platform 35 and may be secured tightly therein by means of a fastening or clamping means 64. The upper end of the magazine 63 extends slightly above the upper side of the upper platform 35 and has secured thereto an upper loading valve 65. The loading vave 65 includes a housing 66 having a three-way valve plug 61 mounted therein. The plug 61 is formed with a port 68 extending diametrically through the plug 6'! and lateral port 69 communicates with the diametrical port 68. The housing 66 includes a bushing which has connected thereto the upper end of a flexible pipe or hose 1|. The opposite end of. the pipe or hose H is connected to a pump structure 12 which is mounted on the lower platform 24. The hous- An outer hollow ball member 4'! movably' ing 66 also includes an intake port 13 aligning with the axis of the magazine 63 andthrough which the containers 38 are adapted to be inserted for filling the magazine 63.

A U-shaped clevis I4 is pivotally mounted on the valve stem 15 whichis secured to the plug 61 and the clevis 14 has secured thereto an eye or ring 16. The stem 15 has secured to the outer end thereof a hand wheel or operator 11 so that the plug 61 may be rotated initially to the position shown in Figure 4 wherein the sealed containers 38 may be manually inserted through the opening 13 and dropped into the magazine 63. After the magazine 63 has been filled to the point shown in Figure 4, the plug 61 is rotated to register the opening 69 with the bushing 18. At this time the opening 13 of the housing 66 is closed and when the pump 12 is operated to pump water or other liquid into the magazine 63, the containers 38 will be forced downwardly moving the valve 5| in an open position. It will be understood that when the liquid is forced into the magazine 63, the lower valve 53 will be in an open position as shown in Figure 5, and the upper valve 65 will be in the position shown in Figure 5.

A rope or cable 18 is secured at one end to the ring or eye 16 and is then extended upwardly to the top of the tower and is trained through a pair of pulleys or sheaves 19 and which are carried by the top 38 of the tower. The cable or rope 80 is then extended downwardly and has secured to the opposite or lower end a counterweight 8|. The counterweight 8| is of such a weight as to permit the tower to go up and down .with the oceans heaving, while the casing restructure In may be provided with pairs of retainers or pipe supports 82 at the opposite ends of the trusses l3 for holding lengths of pipe 42 which are progressively connected together in order that the lower end of the pipe 42 may be extended to the vessel V. The lower valve 53 is initially closed, as shown in Figure 4, and the sealed containers 38 are then dropped into the magazine 63, the upper valve 65 being open, 'as shown in Figure 4. When the magazine 63 has been filled, the valve plug 61 is rotated to close the opening 63 and register the port 69 with the bushing Ill. The pump structure 12 is then operated to pump water or other liquid into the magazine 63 and the valve plug 55 is then opened to permit the containers 38 to be hydraulically forced downwardly through the pipe 42. The force of the water or liquid on the containers 38 will move the lower valve 5| which is a check valve, normally biased to a closed position, to an open position and the containers 38 will then enter the interior of the vessel V, displacing water of a quantity equal to the size of each container.

The operation of filling the magazine 63 and forcing the containers 38 into the vessel is continued until the vessel is made buoyant and rises from the bottom.

What I claim is:

1. A vessel raising structure comprising a pipe for insertion into the vessel, a universal coupling between said pipe and said vessel, a spring-closed check valve at the lower end of said pipe, a tubular magazine extending from the upper end of said pipe, a valve interposed between the lower end of said magazine and the upper end of said pipe, a three-way valve on the upper end of said magazine, said latter valve having an upper port and also having a lateral port, fluid pressure means connected to said lateral port, and sealed containers insertable into said magazine through said upper port, opening of said second valve and adjustment of said three-way valve to communicate said lateral port with said magazine providing for the forcing of said sealed containers into the vessel under fluid pressure whereby said containers will render said vessel buoyant.

2. A vessel raising means comprising a tubular guide means, ball and socket means carried by said guide means adapted to engage a sunken vessel and providing a universal coupling between said guide means and said vessel, the lower end of said guide means projecting below said ball and socket means, a downwardly opening check valve on the lower end of said guide means, a plurality of sealed containers slidable through said guide means, and hydraulic means for forcing said containers through said guide means and into the vessel. 7

3. A vessel raising means comprising a tubular guide means, ball and socket means carried by said guide means adapted to engage a sunken vessel and providing a universal coupling between said guide means and said vessel, the lower end of said guide means projecting below said ball and socket means, a downwardly opening check valve on the lower end of said guide means, a

plurality of sealed containers slidable through said guide means, a tubular magazine extending above said guide means, and hydraulic means connected to said magazine for forcing said containers through said guide means and into the vessel.

4. A vessel raising means comprising a tubular guide means, ball and socket means carried by said guide means adapted to engage a sunken vessel and providing a universal coupling between said guide means and said vessel, the lower end of said guide meansprojecting below said ball and socket means, a downwardly opening check valve on the lower end of said guide means, a plurality of sealed containers slidable through said guide means, a tubular magazine extending above said guide means, upper and lower valves carried by said magazine, and hydraulic means connected to said upper valve.

5. A vesselraising means comprising a tubular guide means, ball and socket means carried by said guide means adapted to engage a sunken vessel and providing a universal coupling between said guide means and said vessel, the lower end of said guide means projecting below said ball and socket means, a downwardly opening check valve on the lower endof said guide means, a plurality of sealed containers slidable through said guide means, a tubular magazine extending above said guide means, upper and lower valves carried by said magazine, hydraulic means connected to said upper valve, a float structure including a buoyant base, a tower rising from said I end of said cable.

6. A vessel raising means comprising a tubular guide means, ball and socket means carried by said guide means adapted to engage a sunken vessel and providing a universal coupling between said guide means and said vessel, the lower end of said guide means projecting below said ball and socket means, a downwardly opening check valve on the lower end of said guide means, a plurality of sealed containers slidable through said guide means, a tubular magazine extending above said guide means, upper and lower valves carried by said magazine, hydraulic means connected to said upper valve, a float structure including a buoyant base, a "tower rising from said base, sheaves carried by. the upper portion-of said tower, a cable secured at one end to the upper end of said magazine and trained through said sheaves, a counterweight secured to the other end of said cable, upper and lower platforms carried respectively by said magazine and said guide means, and platform guides carried by said tower.

'7. A vessel raising means comprising a tubular guide means, ball and socket means carried by said guide means adapted to engage a sunken vessel and providing a universal coupling between said guide means and said vessel, the lower end of said guide means projecting below said ball and socket means, a downwardly opening check valve on the lower end of said guide means, a plurality of sealed con iner's slidable through said guide means, a tub ar magazine extending above said guide means, upper and lower valves carried by said magazine, hydraulic means connected to said upper valve, a transparent window carried by said lower valve, a float structure for maintaining said guide means and said magazine upright, said float structure comprising a buoyant base, a tower rising from said base, means securing said tower on said base whereby said base may have substantially universal rocking movement relative to said tower, a pair of sleeves carried by said tower, a cable secured at one'end to said magazine and trained through said sheaves, and a counterweight secured to the opposite end of said cable.

8. A vessel raising means comprising a tubular guide means, ball and socket means carried by said guide means adapted to engage a sunken vessel and providing a universal coupling between said guide means and said vessel, the lower end of said guide means projecting below said ball and socket means, a downwardly opening check valve on the lower end of said guide means, a plurality of sealed containers slidable through said guide means, a tubular magazine extending above said guide means, upper and lower valves carried by said magazine, hydraulic means connected to said upper valve, a transparent window carried by said lower valve, a float structure for maintaining said guide means and said magazine upright, said float structure comprising a buoyant base, a tower rising from said base, means secur ing said tower on said base whereby said base may have substantially universal rocking movement relative to said tower, a pair of sleeves carried by said tower, a cable secured at one end to said magazine and trained through said sheaves, a counterweight secured to the opposite end of said cable, vertical guides carried by said tower, an upper platform slidably engaging said guides, means securing said upper platform to said magazine, a lower platform slidably engaging said guides, and means securing said lower platform to said tubular guide means.

VIC'I'QR PRASSEL. 

